Apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that executes a job, broadcasts a wireless signal prior to establishing a connection by wireless communication with an external apparatus. The wireless signal includes information relating to the apparatus, by which it can be identified whether execution of a job by the apparatus is possible, in a predetermined packet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a processing technique that processes ajob received via a communication unit.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, in the Bluetooth (registered trademark) CoreSpecification V4.0, a very low power consumption wireless communicationstandard called Bluetooth Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as BLE)has been established. In BLE, extended operation using a battery such asa button battery is envisioned. In BLE, a new child node notifies itsown existence to a parent node by intermittently broadcasting anadvertisement packet. A child node can control the timing ofadvertisement packet broadcasting and the timing of reception of packetsfrom a parent node, and power consumption is significantly reduced byentering a sleep state during other times.

In a case where a parent node is a mobile terminal such as a smart phoneand a child node is an image processing apparatus such as a printer, themobile terminal becomes a central and the image processing apparatusbecomes a peripheral. The image processing apparatus, by an advertisingcommunication scheme, broadcasts advertisement packets intermittently,and the mobile terminal can recognize the existence of the imageprocessing apparatus by acquiring the advertisement packets.

Here, when the mobile terminal acquires an advertisement packet, it canestablish a connection with the image processing apparatus, query thecapabilities of the image processing apparatus, and execute a functionthat the image processing apparatus has. For example, in a case wherethe image processing apparatus has a print function, and is in a statein which it can execute a job, the mobile terminal can establish aconnection with the image processing apparatus, and issue a print job tothe image processing apparatus.

However, even in a state in which the image processing apparatus cannotexecute printing, the image processing apparatus cannot broadcast anadvertisement packet while the connection is established between themobile terminal and the image processing apparatus. For this reason,there is a problem in that while a mobile terminal is in communicationwith an image processing apparatus, a user of another mobile terminalcannot recognize the existence of the image processing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is conceived in view of the foregoing problem, andprovides a technique by which it is possible to improve efficiency ofusage of a system that implements processing between a plurality ofapparatuses.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided anapparatus that executes a job, the apparatus comprises: a broadcast unitconfigured to broadcast a wireless signal prior to establishing aconnection by wireless communication with an external apparatus, whereinthe wireless signal includes information relating to the apparatus, bywhich it can be identified whether execution of a job by the apparatusis possible, in a predetermined packet.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for illustrating a configuration of MFPs and a mobileterminal.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of an MFP.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram for illustrating a control configuration ofthe MFP.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram for illustrating a control configuration ofthe mobile terminal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration of aBLE unit.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views for illustrating timing of broadcasting ofadvertisement packets.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are views for illustrating a detailed configuration of anadvertisement packet.

FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating a processing sequence between themobile terminal and the MFP.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for illustrating an example of displaying by adisplay unit of the MFP.

FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating a flow for when advertising isperformed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter indetail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that theembodiments below do not limit the present invention according to thescope of the claims, and the means for solving in the present inventionis not limited to requiring a combination of all features explained inthe present embodiment. For identical elements identical referencenumerals are given, and detailed explanation therefor is omitted.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a pattern diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus,and a surrounding environment thereof.

In the present embodiment, explanation is given for a system includingthe image processing apparatus and a terminal device. Exemplaryexplanation is given using a Multifunction Printer (MFP) as an exampleof an image processing apparatus in the present embodiment. An MFP 200is an MFP of an ink-jet method that has a plurality of functions such asa print function, a scanner function (reading function), a copyfunction, a fax function, or the like. Note that the print method thatthe MFP 200 uses is not limited to the ink-jet method, and it ispossible to use another print method such as a laser beam method. Also,the image processing apparatus is not limited to this, and may have onlya print function, may have only a scanner function, and may compriseother functions.

The MFP 200 operates as a BLE peripheral which is one short-rangewireless communication specification. Also, the MFP 200 can transmit anadvertising signal to its periphery without making a network connectionwith a particular terminal.

A mobile terminal 30, which is a terminal device, operates as a centralwhich is a BLE central node. The mobile terminal 30, for example, is aterminal that can be carried, and can transmit to the MFP 200 a printjob. The mobile terminal 30 may be an information processing apparatusthat handles a file that is a printing target such as a cellular phone,a digital camera, a smart phone or the like, but the mobile terminal 30is not limited to these. The mobile terminal 30, if positioned within asignal area 20 which is an effective communication range of the MFP 200,can receive an advertising signal (an advertisement packet) from the MFP200. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 30 is able to receive advertisingsignals of a plurality of the MFP 200 if within the effectivecommunication ranges of a plurality of the MFP 200 (in the case of FIG.1, 2 of the MFP 200). Also, as a characteristic of BLE, because the MFP200 can receive a signal strength of an advertising signal that the MFP200 transmitted, a central can identify an approximate distance to aperipheral.

Note that the signal area 20, which is an effective communication rangeis a range over which the MFP 200 can communicate, is a communicationrange in which short-range wireless communication which is of a shortercommunication range than that of long-range wireless communication suchas Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (a shorter communication rangethan a predetermined distance) is realized. Also, it can be said thatthe MFP 200 and the mobile terminal 30 function as communicationapparatuses, meaning that the apparatuses communicate with each other.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for illustrating an outer appearance of theMFP 200, and in particular, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the MFP200, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the MFP 200.

An original platen 201 is a transparent base comprised of glass or thelike, and is used when an original is placed on it and read by thescanner. An original lid 202 is a lid for making it so that scanninglight does not escape to the outside when performing reading by thescanner. A printing sheet insertion port 203 is an insertion port forsetting sheets of various sizes as a recording medium. The sheet set inthe printing sheet insertion port 203 is conveyed to the printing unitone sheet at a time, a desired print is performed thereon, and it isdischarged from a printing sheet discharging port 204. Also, the MFP 200comprises a first cassette 209 and a second cassette 210 as other printsheet supply units. For example, if A3 sheets are set in the firstcassette 209, and A4 sheets are set in the second cassette 210, a usercan execute print jobs whose print sizes are A3 and A4 without changingthe sheets of the MFP 200.

On an upper portion of the original lid 202, an operation display unit205 and an Near Field Communication (NFC) unit 206 are arranged. Theoperation display unit 205 has a display unit for displaying images,operation menus or the like, 4-direction keys used for cursor movementon the display unit, buttons, and a console unit for executing othervarious functions. Also, the operation display unit 205 may be comprisedby a touch panel.

The NFC unit 206 is a unit for performing short-range wirelesscommunication, and is in a location at which a terminal with which theshort-range wireless communication is performed is actually caused toapproach. The NFC unit 206 can perform communication by a terminalhaving an NFC communication function being caused to approach within apredetermined distance (approximately 10 cm). A WLAN antenna 207 is anantenna for communicating by WLAN. A BT antenna 208 is an antenna forcommunicating by Bluetooth and BLE.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram for illustrating a control configuration ofthe MFP 200.

The MFP 200 comprises a main board 301 for performing main control ofthe apparatus, a WLAN unit 316 for performing WLAN communication, an NFCunit 317 for performing NFC communication, and a BLE unit 318 forperforming Bluetooth communication and BLE communication.

In the main board 301, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 302 is a systemcontrol unit that controls the MFP 200 on the whole. A Read Only Memory(ROM) 303 stores various programs such as control programs that the CPU302 executes, an embedded operating system (OS) program, or the like. Inthe present embodiment, software control such as scheduling, taskswitching or the like is performed under the management of the embeddedOS stored in the ROM 303 for control programs stored in the ROM 303. ARandom Access Memory (RAM) 304 is configured by an SRAM (static RAM)memory or the like, and in addition to storing program controlvariables, setting values that a user registers, and various data suchas management data of the MFP 200, various work buffer regions arearranged.

A non-volatile memory 305 is configured by a memory such as a flashmemory, and holds data that is stored even when a power source is turnedoff. Specifically, in this data there is user data such as a FAXtelephone number, a communication history, network information, or thelike, a list of mobile terminals connected to in the past, and settinginformation of the MFP 200 such as menu items of a print mode, andinkjet printhead correction information or the like. An image memory 306is configured by a memory such as a DRAM (dynamic RAM), and storesvarious data such as image data received via each communication unit,image data processed by an encoding/decoding processing unit 312, or thelike.

Note that a memory configuration comprising the various foregoingmemories is not limited to this, and it is possible to configure asappropriate the number, characteristics, storage capacities or the likeof these in accordance with purpose and objectives.

A data conversion unit 307 performs processing such as analysis of pagedescription language (the PDL) data, or the like, conversion from imagedata to print data, or the like. A reading control unit 308 opticallyreads an original in accordance with a reading unit 310 configured by aCIS image sensor (e.g., a contact image sensor) or the like, and outputsimage data. Specifically, an original is optically read by the readingunit 310, various image processing such as binarization processing orhalftone processing is applied via an image processing control unit (notshown) to an image signal converted into electronic image data, and highdefinition image data is outputted.

An operation unit 309 and a display unit 311 correspond to the operationdisplay unit 205 of FIG. 2B. The encoding/decoding processing unit 312performs various processing such as encoding/decoding processing,resizing processing or the like of image data (the JPEG, PNG, or thelike) processed by the MFP 200. A sheet feeding unit 313 holds sheetsfor printing, and supplies sheets to a printing unit 315. Here, thesheet feeding unit 313 collectively refers to a plurality of sheetfeeding units such as the printing sheet insertion port 203, the firstcassette 209, and the second cassette 210 of FIG. 2A. By control from aprinting control unit 314, it is possible to perform sheet feeding fromthe sheet feeding unit 313 to the printing unit 315. Also, by theprinting control unit 314, it is possible to control what sheet feedingunit of the plurality of sheet feeding units to perform sheet feedingfrom.

The printing control unit 314 converts image data that is the target ofthe printing into high definition image data by applying various imageprocessing such as smoothing processing, print density correctionprocessing, and color correction via the image processing control unit(not shown), and outputs to the printing unit 315. Also, the printingcontrol unit 314 periodically reads various information such as a statusof the printing unit 315, and updates information in the RAM 304.Specifically, it updates, for example, remaining amounts of ink tanks,print head states, or the like.

In the MFP 200 there are the WLAN unit 316, the NFC unit 317 and the BLEunit 318 as communication units for wireless communication, and it ispossible to perform wireless communication in accordance with 3 types ofcommunication specifications (WLAN, NFC, and BLE). Specifically, theWLAN unit 316, the NFC unit 317, and the BLE unit 318 are units forrealizing communication in compliance with WLAN, NFC and BLEspecifications respectively. The BLE unit 318 is a unit that used forboth classical Bluetooth and BLE. The WLAN unit 316, the NFC unit 317,and the BLE unit 318 are communication units for performing datacommunication with other devices such as mobile terminals. Thesecommunication units convert data into packets and perform packettransmission to other devices. Meanwhile, these communication unitsconvert packets from other external devices into data and transmit thedata to the CPU 302.

The WLAN unit 316, the NFC unit 317, and the BLE unit 318 are connectedto a system bus 322 via bus cables 319, 320 and 321 respectively.

Note that the foregoing various components 303-318 are connected to eachother via the system bus 322 which the CPU 302 manages.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram for illustrating a control configuration ofthe mobile terminal 30.

The mobile terminal 30 comprises a main board 701 for performing maincontrol of the apparatus, a WLAN unit 716 for performing WLANcommunication, an NFC unit 717 for performing NFC communication, and aBLE unit 718 for performing classical Bluetooth communication and BLEcommunication.

In the main board 701, a CPU 702 is a system control unit that controlsthe mobile terminal 30 on the whole. A ROM 703 stores various programssuch as control programs that the CPU 702 executes, an embeddedoperating system (OS) program, or the like. In the present embodiment,software control such as scheduling, task switching or the like isperformed under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 703for control programs stored in the ROM 703. A RAM 704 is configured byan SRAM (static RAM) memory or the like, and in addition to storingprogram control variables, setting values that the user registers, andvarious data such as management data of the mobile terminal 30, variouswork buffer regions are arranged.

A non-volatile memory 705 is configured by a memory such as a flashmemory, and holds data that is stored even when a power source is turnedoff. Specifically in such data there is a communication history, userdata such as network information, a list of MFPs connected to in thepast, and setting information of the mobile terminal 30 such as menuitems of a communication mode or the like. An image memory 706 isconfigured by a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), and stores variousdata such as image data received via each communication unit, image dataprocessed by an encoding/decoding processing unit 712, or the like.

Note that a memory configuration comprising the various foregoingmemories is not limited to this, and it is possible to configure asappropriate the number, characteristics, storage capacities or the likeof these in accordance with purpose and objectives.

A data conversion unit 707 performs processing for data analysis,conversion from image data to job data, or the like.

An operation unit 709 is configured by a touch panel, keys, buttons orthe like for performing operations on the mobile terminal 30. A displayunit 711 is configuring by an LCD, for example. The encoding/decodingprocessing unit 712 performs various processing such asencoding/decoding processing, resizing processing or the like of imagedata (the JPEG, PNG, or the like) processed by the mobile terminal 30.

In the mobile terminal 30 there are the WLAN unit 716, the NFC unit 717and the BLE unit 718 as communication units for wireless communication,and it is possible to perform wireless communication in accordance with3 types of communication specifications (WLAN, NFC, and BLE).Specifically, the WLAN unit 716, the NFC unit 717, and the BLE unit 718are units for realizing communication in compliance with WLAN, NFC andBLE specifications respectively. The BLE unit 318 is a unit that usedfor both classical Bluetooth and BLE. The WLAN unit 716, the NFC unit717, and the BLE unit 718 are communication units for performing datacommunication with other devices such MFPs. These communication unitsconvert data into packets and perform packet transmission to otherdevices. Meanwhile, these communication units convert packets from otherexternal devices into data and transmit the data to the CPU 702.

The WLAN unit 716, the NFC unit 717, and the BLE unit 718 are connectedto a system bus 722 via bus cables 719, 720 and 721 respectively.

Note that the various foregoing components 703-718 are connected to eachother via the system bus 722 which the CPU 702 manages.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration ofthe BLE unit 318 and the BLE unit 718. Below explanation is given withthe BLE unit 318 as an example.

Data is transmitted/received between the main board 301 and amicrocomputer 403 via the bus cable 321. By attaching an independentsensor in addition to the bus cable 321 it is possible totransmit/receive data by control other than that of the main board 301.In the BLE unit 318, an ADC 402 (Analog-to-Digital Converter) and themicrocomputer 403 are connected to the bus cable 321.

A sensor 401 is a device for converting a physical amount of ameasurement target into an electrical signal. In the present embodiment,as the sensor 401, there is a monitoring sensor or a motion sensor foridentifying that there is a person in the periphery of the MFP 200, forexample, and a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of theMFP 200.

The ADC 402 is analog/digital conversion circuit that converts an analogsignal output from the sensor 401 into a digital signal that themicrocomputer 403 can process. The microcomputer 403 is a microprocessorthat performs wireless communication processing. In the microcomputer403, a RAM and a flash memory are comprised. A wireless communicationcircuit 404 is configured by a device such as a wireless communicationchip, a crystal oscillator, an inductor, a condenser, or the like, andperforms transmission and reception of data by wireless communication.An operation switch 405 is a switch for turning on and turning off thepower of the BLE unit 318, and the operation switch 405 sends abroadcasting signal by selecting ON. Note that a power of the BLE unit318 ordinarily operates in cooperation with a power source of the MFP200. In a case where a problem occurs in a power supply system of theMFP 200, it is possible to broadcast independently from the operation ofthe MFP 200 by turning on the operation switch 405 intentionally by auser operation. A battery 406 is a storage battery such as a buttonbattery. A main body power source 408 is a power source supplied fromthe main board 301. A power source circuit 407 is a circuit forperforming processing such as a voltage adjustment for efficientlysupplying a power from the battery 406.

In this way, the MFP 200 has power sources of 2 systems: the battery 406and the main body power source 408. With this, even if the MFP 200cannot be activated for some reason, or if the power source of the mainboard 301 is turned off by a power saving function of the main body ofthe MFP 200, it is possible to broadcast (i.e., a multi-destinationtransmission) the advertising signal from the NFC unit 317. Also, in theBLE unit 318 a non-volatile memory 410 is installed, and by movinginformation such as operation information, setting information or thelike that is stored in the RAM 304 of the main board 301, it is possibleto perform communication alone using this information as necessary.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views for illustrating an advertising signal that theBLE unit 318 broadcasts to its periphery.

FIG. 5A illustrates a normal advertising signal of the MFP 200. Tx 508represents a transmission section of the advertising signal, and bycausing transmission circuit to operate, a predetermined packet (e.g.,an advertisement packet) explained with FIGS. 6A to 6D is transmitted.Rx 509 represents a standby section for waiting for a response from acommunication partner (for example, the mobile terminal 30) to theadvertising signal. Specifically, in the Rx 509, by turning the powersource of a reception circuit on, a state in which reception of aresponse from a communication partner is possible is switched into.Then, after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, that is outsideof the standby section of the Rx 509, by turning off the power source ofthe reception circuit, a state in which a response cannot be received isswitched to. One channel A 505 is formed by the Tx 508 and the Rx 509,and an advertising time 501 is defined by the Tx 508 and the Rx 509 inthe channel A 505. Continuing from the channel A 505, a channel B 506and a channel C 507 of similar configuration are comprised. Also, Tx andRx are repeated by the number of the determined channels. For example,in the BLE standard, channels 37, 38 and 39 are allocated foradvertisement packet channels, and in the present embodiment, thechannel A 505, the channel B 506, and the channel C 507 correspond tothese channels.

An Active section 502 is a section in which transmission and receptionis performed by Tx and Rx. A power-saving section 503 is a section inwhich transmission and reception is not performed by Tx and Rx. Thelonger the power-saving section 503 is, the more power consumption ofthe BLE unit 318 can be suppressed. In this way, a predeterminedinterval from broadcasting the advertising signal until broadcasting thenext advertising signal after waiting for a corresponding response for apredetermined amount of time (i.e., the Active section 502 in FIG. 5A)is called an advertising interval 504. FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are explainedlater.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are views for illustrating a detailed configuration of anadvertisement packet.

The BLE unit 318 performs an initialization process when it enters apower on state, and after that enters an advertising state fortransmitting/receiving advertisement packets. When the advertising stateis entered, the BLE unit 318 transmits an advertisement packetillustrated in FIG. 6A to the periphery in a settable interval (i.e.,predetermined interval). The advertisement packet is configured by a 2byte header 601, and a payload 602. The header 601 is a region forstoring a type of the packet, information of the size of the payload602, or the like. The payload 602 is a region that can store informationof the apparatus transmitting the advertising signal, and apredetermined size is allocated for it. In the payload 602, other thanthe device name and installation profile information, informationrelating to the MFP 200 such as the transmission power (a Tx Power 608)is stored. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that identifyinginformation by which it can be identified whether the job execution bythe image processing apparatus is possible is included. As theidentifying information, there is capability information 605, settinginformation 606, and error information 607 which are explained later. Inthe present embodiment, in the payload 602, an MFP name 603,connection-to-MFP information 604, a NEXT Flag 627, and the Tx Power 608are stored.

In the payload 602, a name for identifying an MFP is stored in the MFPname 603. Information such as a character string for being able toidentify an MFP in an office uniquely, for example, is set as this name.The connection-to-MFP information 604 is information for the mobileterminal 30 to perform a connection to the MFP 200 after having receivedthe advertisement packet. If in compliance with a specification of BLE,a protocol data unit (PDU) described in the BLE 4.0 specification isinformation is for making a connection to the MFP 200. Bytransmitting/receiving protocol data PDUs, the mobile terminal 30 isable to perform data communication after establishing a connection withthe MFP 200. Also, establishing a connection other than one for BLE ispossible, and for example, by setting information for connecting to theWLAN unit 316 as information for performing a connection to the MFP 200,the mobile terminal 30 can make a connection with the MFP 200 by WLAN.

The Tx Power 608 is information indicating a signal strength of Tx. TheMFP 200 can identify a propagation loss from information of the Tx Power608 and the received signal strength of the received packet, and canmake an estimation of the distance to the BLE wireless device from thisidentified propagation loss. For the capability information 605, thesetting information 606, and the error information 607 which is stateinformation of the MFP 200, explanation is given later in detail usingFIG. 6B, FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D respectively.

Next, using FIG. 6B, a detailed configuration of the capabilityinformation 605 is explained. The capability information 605 iscapability information for a job that the MFP 200 can execute. Themobile terminal 30, when it receives an advertisement packet that theimage processing apparatus broadcasted, can identify what kind offunctions the MFP 200 has without establishing a connection with the MFP200 by receiving the capability information 605.

In the present embodiment, as the capability information 605, there ismaker information (hereinafter referred to as a maker 609), model numberinformation (hereinafter referred to as a model number 610), colorinformation (hereinafter referred to as a color 611), and number of inksinformation (hereinafter referred to as a number of inks 612). Also, asthe capability information 605 there is supported sheet size information(hereinafter referred to as supported sheet sizes 613), information ofsupported sheet types (hereinafter referred to as supported sheet types614), and information as to whether double-sided printing is possible(hereinafter referred to as double-sided supported 615).

In the maker 609, a maker identification (ID) provided for each maker isstored. In the model number 610, an ID by which a product model of theMFP 200 can be identified uniquely is stored. In the color 611 a flagindicating whether it is a color printer or a monochrome printer isstored. In the number of inks 612 a bit is allocated for each recordingmaterial ink color, and the inks that can be mounted can be represented.That is, it is possible to identify the number of inks. For thesupported sheet sizes 613, a bit is allocated for each sheet size, andit is possible to represent the sheet sizes that can be set. For thesupported sheet types 614, a bit is allocated for each sheet type, andit is possible to represent the sheet types that can be set. In thedouble-sided supported 615 a flag indicating whether or not double-sidedprinting is possible is stored. In this way, because it is possible toidentify the function of the MFP 200 by the capability information 605,the mobile terminal 30 can determine whether a job for which executionis scheduled can be executed by that MFP.

Next, using FIG. 6C, a detailed configuration of the setting information606 is explained. The setting information 606 is information setcurrently in the MFP 200. The mobile terminal 30, by receiving thesetting information 606, can identify a current setting state of the MFP200 without establishing a connection with the MFP 200.

In the present embodiment, as the setting information 606 there isinformation of a sheet size of the first cassette (hereinafter referredto as the first cassette sheet size 616), and information of a sheetsize of the second cassette (hereinafter referred to as the secondcassette sheet size 617). Also, as the setting information 606 there isinformation of a sheet type of the first cassette (hereinafter referredto as the first cassette sheet type 618), and information of a sheettype of the second cassette (hereinafter referred to as the secondcassette sheet type 619). Furthermore, as the setting information 606there is information of a priority cassette (hereinafter referred to asa priority cassette 620), information of a print mode (hereinafterreferred to as a print mode 621), and information of a printing speed(hereinafter referred to as a printing speed 622).

In the first cassette sheet size 616 and the second cassette sheet size617, setting values indicating the sizes of sheets set in the firstcassette and the second cassette are stored. These setting values aresimilar to the bits allocated in the supported sheet sizes 613. In thefirst cassette sheet type 618 and the second cassette sheet type 619,setting values indicating the sheet types of sheets set in the firstcassette and the second cassette are stored. These setting values aresimilar to the bits allocated in the supported sheet types 614.

In the priority cassette 620, a value indicating the cassette that isused preferentially out of the first cassette and the second cassette isstored. In the case where “1” is stored, the first cassette is usedpreferentially, and in the case where “2” is stored, the second cassetteis used preferentially. For the print mode 621, a value indicating thedefault print mode is stored. In this value, values indicating variousprint modes such as “beautiful”, “normal”, and “fast” can be set. Forthe printing speed 622, the printing speed in the current print settingsis stored. For example, in a case where printing is performed inbeautiful mode with A4 sheet size and with normal paper, the estimatednumber of sheets that can be printed in 1 minute is stored. Note thatthe printing speed itself may be stored.

In this way, the mobile terminal 30 can identify the current settinginformation of the MFP 200 and notify the user, and therefore can cue tofind an MFP that the user desires. Also, the mobile terminal 30 canidentify in advance in a case where the MFP has a desired function butthe current settings are different, and notify this. Accordingly, a usercan recognize that settings should be changed on the operation unit 709of the MFP in advance, and the possibility that printing is performedwith the wrong settings can be prevented is raised.

Next, using FIG. 6D, a detailed configuration of the error information607 is explained. The error information 607 is information of an errorthat occurred in the MFP 200. The mobile terminal 30, by receiving theerror information 607, can identify that an error occurred on the MFPwithout establishing a connection with the MFP 200, and can notify theuser.

As the error information 607 there is information of a job status(hereinafter referred to as a job status 623), information of a joberror (hereinafter referred to as a job error 624), information of arecoverable error (hereinafter referred to as a recoverable error 625),and information of a fatal error (hereinafter referred to as a fatalerror 626).

In the job status 623, information such as a status of a job that theMFP 200 received is stored. For example, the number of received jobs,the number of received pages, and the number of users that exist in thevicinity of the MFP 200 are stored. By identifying the number ofreceived jobs and the number of received pages, the mobile terminal 30can estimate (identify) approximately what the waiting time will be in acase where a job is transmitted. Also, for the number of users thatexist in the vicinity of the MFP 200, the number of mobile terminals inthe vicinity of the MFP 200 can be estimated (identified) bybroadcasting an advertisement packet and counting the number ofresponses thereto. Note that the number of users may be simply thenumber of mobile terminals that return responses or may be the number ofmobile terminals within a predetermined distance.

In the job error 624, a value indicating content of an error thatoccurred when a job is received and executed is stored. In the presentembodiment, as the job error, it is possible to identify a sheet sizemismatch, a sheet type mismatch, an image decoding error, a packeterror, a color mismatch, an imposition error, unsupported processing, orother (errors other than the foregoing). An error often occurs in a casewhere, for example, the job is incorrect, or setting information of thetransmitted job and setting information of the MFP 200 do not match. Inother words, often these can be cancelled by re-transmitting anappropriate job from the mobile terminal 30, or by changing a setting ofthe MFP 200. In the present embodiment, the bits allocated for each joberror can be notified if a plurality of errors occurred. The mobileterminal 30 can identify a job error of the MFP 200 based on the joberror 624 and notify the user, and therefore the user can determinewhether to use that MFP after cancelling the error, or whether to useanother MFP.

In the recoverable error 625, a value indicating an error for whichmaintenance of the MFP 200 by the user is necessary among the errorsthat occur on the MFP 200 is stored. In the recoverable error 625, avalue indicating an error is allocated in each bit similarly to the joberror 624. In the present embodiment, as the recoverable error it ispossible to identify a conveying unit paper jam, a sheet feeding unitpaper jam, sheet tray full, discharging port closed, cover open, an inkoutage, ink remaining amount low, and other errors for which maintenanceby a user is necessary. By the recoverable error 625, in not only themobile terminal 30 of the user that transmitted the job, but also in themobile terminal 30 of users in the periphery, errors can be identified,and therefore it is possible to enhance the maintainability of the MFP200.

In the fatal error 626, a value indicating an error for whichmaintenance of the MFP 200 by a user is difficult among the errors thatoccur on the MFP 200 is stored. An error for which maintenance isdifficult is an error for which it is necessary to contact a servicecenter, for example, and which cannot be caused to be recovered from byan ordinary user. In the present embodiment, as the fatal error, a wasteink tank full, a printing unit high temperature error, a power sourceerror, and other errors for which maintenance is difficult can beidentified. The mobile terminal 30 can identify and notify that a fatalerror occurred on the MFP 200 based on the fatal error. For example, theMFP can notify to the mobile terminal 30 that is executing a job that itis not a usage target.

Here, Tx transmits when broadcasting an advertising signal, but in thepresent embodiment, if an error occurs on the MFP 200, the power sourceof the reception circuit is kept off, and a response from acommunication partner to the advertising signal is not awaited.Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the Rx 509 is eliminated ineach channel (channel A-channel C), and only a Tx 512, a Tx 513, and aTx 514 are executed. With this, while configuration is such that themobile terminal 30 can identify that the MFP 200 cannot executeprinting, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the MFP200, and realize power saving. That is, it is possible to reduce thepower for turning on the power source of the reception circuit. In thepresent embodiment, if the fatal error 626 is in the error information607, Rx is not executed. This is because there is no meaning inreceiving a response from the mobile terminal 30 in a case where a fatalerror occurs even considering from the side of management of the MFP200. Note that in cases of the job error 624, the recoverable error 625or the like, and not just the fatal error 626, configuration may betaken so as to not execute Rx because a job cannot be executed until theerror is cancelled.

In this way, the mobile terminal 30 can identify a current state of theMFP 200 by receiving an advertisement packet in which information of thecapability information 605, the setting information 606, the errorinformation 607 or the like of the MFP 200 is stored.

Note that the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C are onlyexamples, and it is possible to store arbitrary data in an advertisementpacket and broadcast it outside of the content illustrated in FIGS. 5Ato 5C. For example, it is possible to arrange the NEXT Flag 627illustrated in FIG. 6A. The NEXT Flag 627 represents broadcastinginformation that could not be fully stored in the advertisement packetof this time in a subsequent advertisement packet. Also, informationsuch as a bit that represents a mode for transmitting an arbitrarycharacter string, or the like, and not just that of a predeterminedformat may be the arranged.

FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating a processing sequence between themobile terminal 30 and the MFP 200 from advertising to job reception tojob completion.

In FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 30 is an initiator that stands by for anadvertisement packet from an advertiser in the periphery. Here, the MFP200 is an advertiser that executes an advertising event of transmittingan advertisement packet in the advertising interval 504. Here, the setof the Tx 508 and the Rx 509 illustrated in FIG. 5A correspond toadvertising (step S701-step S703). By the mobile terminal 30 receivingthe advertisement packet (FIG. 6A) from the MFP 200, the mobile terminal30 can identify capabilities and an error state of the MFP 200.

If one of the MFP 200 that is suitable for executing the job exists, themobile terminal 30 transmits CONNECT_REQ which is a request fortransitioning to a connection event for making a network connection(step S704). When the MFP 200 receives CONNECT_REQ, it makespreparations to transition to the connection event. By the BLE unit 318and the BLE unit 718 notifying LE Connection Complete to the main board301 and the main board 701 respectively, the mobile terminal 30 and theMFP 200 change to master and slave respectively (step S705 and stepS706).

After transitioning to the connection event, the slave MFP 200establishes a connection with the mobile terminal 30 which is themaster. Note that in the BLE standard, the master can form a star-typetopology with slaves [1: many].

The MFP 200, after changing to slave, does not broadcast advertisementpackets to the mobile terminal 30. For this reason, mobile terminals inthe periphery other than the mobile terminal 30 that established theconnection with the MFP 200 cannot identify information regarding theMFP 200 via advertising. In contrast to this, in the present embodiment,the mobile terminal 30, by receiving an advertisement packet, canidentify capabilities and an error state of the MFP 200 prior toestablishing a connection with the MFP 200. Accordingly, it is possibleto suppress the mobile terminal 30 establishing a connection with an MFP200 that cannot execute the job, and it is possible for other terminaldevices to identify via advertising information relating to the MFP 200.

In the mobile terminal 30, the main board 701 transmits job data of aprint job to the BLE unit 718 (step S707). For the job data here, aprint job main body in which image data is embedded may be transmitted,and information of a pointer to a print job may be notified. The BLEunit 718 of the mobile terminal 30 transmits job data of a print job tothe BLE unit 318 (step S708). Note, in this embodiment, if pointerinformation (job information) is transmitted, job data of the print jobis transmitted to the BLE unit 318 thereafter, but limitation is notmade to this. Configuration may be taken such that the print job mainbody is transmitted by communication means other than BLE, andconfiguration may be taken such that, for example, it is transmittedusing the WLAN unit 316 which can communicate in a wider range than BLE.In the present embodiment, the print job main body or pointerinformation is transmitted as information relating to the job.

In the MFP 200, the BLE unit 318 transmits to the main board 301received job data (step S709). The main board 301 notifies jobcompletion to the BLE unit 318 when it receives the job data (stepS710). The timing of notification of job completion may be after theoperation of the job completes, or may be the timing at which thereception of job data ends, or may be the timing at which the pointer tothe job is notified. Note that if the pointer to the job is notified,for example, the actual data of the job may be obtained using the WLANunit 316.

In the MFP 200, the BLE unit 318 notifies the received job completion tothe BLE unit 718 of the mobile terminal 30 (step S711). The BLE unit 718notifies the received job completion to the main board 701 (step S712).

After that, the mobile terminal 30 and the MFP 200 respectively returnto initiator and advertiser, and the MFP 200 resumes advertising (stepS713).

As explained using the sequence of FIG. 7, when the connection event istransitioned to, the advertiser ceases to be able to broadcastadvertisement packets. For this reason, the less the connection eventoccurs, the more mobile terminals in the periphery other than the mobileterminal 30 that established the connection event with the advertisercan receive advertisement packets from the advertiser. Compared to casesin which information relating to the MFP 200 is received aftertransitioning to the connection event as is conventional, it is possibleto notify information relating to the MFP 200 to the mobile terminalonly with an advertisement packet broadcast before the connection event.Accordingly, the MFP 200 and the mobile terminal 30 respectively cansuppress electric power consumption due to the establishment of theconnection in cases where the print job cannot be executed, and thenumber of steps for cancellation after connecting can be reduced. Also,if there exists a plurality of the mobile terminal 30 in the effectivecommunication range of the MFP 200, it is possible for all of the mobileterminals 30 in the effective communication range to identify a state ofthe MFP 200 without establishing a connection with the MFP 200.

Using FIGS. 8A and 8B, explanation is given of an example oftransmitting a job after searching for the MFP 200 from the mobileterminal 30. FIGS. 8A and 8B are an example of display screens displayedin the display unit 311 of the mobile terminal 30.

The mobile terminal 30, for power consumption reduction, is not put in astate in which it can receive BLE advertisement packets continuously. Ifa user is trying to print, that is if the user is trying to transmit aprint job from the mobile terminal 30, the user activates apredetermined application on the mobile terminal 30. The predeterminedapplication displays an application screen illustrated in FIG. 8A on thedisplay unit 311. This predetermined application has a function ofsearching for an MFP meeting a desired condition. In the presentembodiment, the application screen that the application displays on themobile terminal 30 has check-boxes for a print mode (“color”), sheetsize (“A4 size or greater”), and printing speed (“15 PPM or greater”(the number of sheets that can be printed in one minute)) as conditionsfor searching for the MFP.

For example, in the case where a print job is an A4 size and there are alarge number of sheets, the user instructs the search after havingchecked the check-boxes for “A4 size or greater” and printing speed of“15 PPM or greater”. With this, the BLE unit 718 of the mobile terminal30 activates, and a state in which advertisement packets in theperiphery can be received is set.

Then, the mobile terminal 30 identifies the state of the MFP 200 in theperiphery based on the capability information 605, the settinginformation 606, and the error information 607 when it receives anadvertisement packet. Then, as is illustrated in FIG. 8B, a notificationscreen indicating that MFPs were found is displayed in the display unit311. Here, the found MFP names, respective statuses, approximatedistances from the mobile terminal 30, and a connection button 801 forinstructing a connection in a case where the MFP 200 is connected aredisplayed. In this way, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal30 can confirm states of a plurality of the MFP 200 by the advertisementpackets.

The CPU 702 of the mobile terminal 30, as described above, can identifya state of the found MFPs by analyzing the received advertisementpackets. The mobile terminal 30 may be configured to cause the displayas illustrated in FIG. 8B to change based on the identified results. Forexample, because the printer A has a paper jam error, it cannot executea print job even if it is connected to, and so configuration is suchthat the connection button 801 is not displayed. Note that theconnection button 801 may be grayed out, or displayed so that it cannotbe selected.

By pressing the connection button 801, it is possible to execute a printjob by transitioning to a sequence from step S704 of FIG. 7. In thisway, the mobile terminal 30 that executes the print job can transmit aprint job having filtered out the MFPs that satisfy the condition fromout of the MFPs in the periphery. Because the connection event is nottransitioned to when filtering out the MFPs that satisfy the conditionfrom out of the MFPs in the periphery, the reception of advertisementpackets by other mobile terminals is not impeded.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating advertisement packet transmissionprocessing. Note that processing that this flowchart illustrates isrealized by the CPU 302 of the MFP 200 reading and executing a programstored in the ROM 303.

In step S902, the CPU 302 performs preparation for broadcasting anadvertisement packet. Here, data necessary for generating the payload602 is obtained from the main board 301. When the advertisement packetis generated, the CPU 302, in step S903, broadcasts the advertisementpacket via the BLE unit 318.

In step S904, the CPU 302 determines whether or not there is an error inthe MFP 200. This error is the job error 624, the recoverable error 625,or the fatal error 626 of FIG. 6D, for example. If the result of thedetermination is that there is an error (YES in step S904), the CPU 302,in step S905, determines whether or not the error that occurs is anerror for which there is a possibility that it will be cancelled bynotifying the user. In the case in which the job error 624 or therecoverable error 625 occur, there is a possibility that the user willperform a recovery operation if the content thereof is notified.Accordingly, in the case of these errors, it is determined that theerror has a possibility of being cancelled by notification of the user.On the other hand, in the case where the fatal error 626 occurs, it isdetermined that the error does not have the possibility of beingcancelled by notification of the user because the user cannot resolvethe error.

If the result of the determination is that the error has the possibilityof being cancelled by notification of the user (YES in step S905), theCPU 302, in step S906, executes the Rx 509 as in FIG. 5A. Meanwhile, ifthe result of the determination is that the error does not has thepossibility of being cancelled by notification of the user (NO in stepS905), the CPU 302, in step S907, does not execute the Rx 509 as in FIG.5C. In other words, the execution of the Rx 509 is prohibited. Bycontrolling in this way, it is possible to suppress the powerconsumption by omitting Rx when an error that the user cannot resolveoccurs. Also, it is possible to explicitly notify the user that the MFPcannot be used.

In step S908, the CPU 302 determines whether or not there is data thatdoes not fit in the advertisement packet of this time. If there is datathat does not fit in the advertisement packet (YES in step S908), theprocessing returns to step S902, and the CPU 302 transmits a subsequentadvertisement packet using the NEXT Flag 627. Specifically, as isillustrated in FIG. 5B, as the advertisement packet, transmission isdivided over Tx 1 (510) and Tx 2 (511) which are consecutive and areassociated by the NEXT Flag 627. By configuring in this way, even in thecase of additional information, advertising is performed divided over aplurality of times, and the influence on mobile terminals in theperiphery is low compared to in the case where the connection event isperformed.

Meanwhile, if the data does not fit in the advertisement packet (NO instep S908), the CPU 302, in step S909, determines whether or not thereis an advertising interrupt instruction. If there is no interruptinstruction (NO in step S909), the processing returns to step S903. Onthe other hand, if there is an interrupt instruction (YES in step S909),processing terminates.

As explained above, by the first embodiment, the mobile terminal 30, byreceiving an advertisement packet, can identify capabilities and anerror state of the MFP 200 prior to establishing a connection with theMFP 200. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the mobile terminal 30establishing of a connection with one of the MFP 200 that cannot executethe job, and it is possible for other terminal devices to identify viaadvertising information relating to the MFP 200. With this it ispossible to suppress the mobile terminal establishing unnecessaryconnections to image processing apparatuses, and it is possible to makethe time in which the mobile terminal establishes a connection with theimage processing apparatus shorter. For this reason, when a plurality ofmobile terminal users are using an image processing apparatus, theexistence of the image processing apparatus becomes easier to recognize.

Second Embodiment

In the second embodiment, explanation is given for an example in whichthe power source that drives the BLE unit 318 is switched. When an eventsuch as an error occurs in the MFP 200, there are cases in which thepower source cannot be input. At that time, if the BLE unit 318 isoperating in the main body power source 408, an advertisement packetcannot be broadcast. In the present embodiment, if an event such as anerror occurs and the power source cannot be input, the battery 406 isswitched to so that it is possible to broadcast advertisement packets.The BLE unit 318 may be implemented to be able to run for several monthsby a button battery in order to have very low power consumption. Byconfiguring in this way, even if the power source is not input to theMFP 200, a state of the MFP 200 can be notified to the mobile terminal30. Also, configuration may be taken such that a battery is driven so asto inactivate the power source of the main board 301 or the main bodypower source 408 for power saving and not just in cases of errors.

Here, for the determination to switch to the battery 406, for examplewhen the microcomputer 403 of the BLE unit 318 monitors a state of theMFP 200, the power source is switched from the main body power source408 to the battery 406 if a predetermined event occurs .

Other Embodiments

In the above described embodiments, as information of the imageprocessing apparatus, it is assumed that capability information, settinginformation, and error information is included as an advertisementpacket, but limitation is not made to this, and it is possible toconfigure to have one or more of these pieces of information. Also, itis possible to have other information. For example, if advertisementpackets only include the capability information, a mobile apparatus canidentify an image processing apparatus that does not have a capabilityfor executing a print job.

Also, in the above described embodiments, explanation was given for anexample of a print job as a job that is a processing target, butlimitation is not made to this. For example, the MFP 200 may function asa network scanner, an Internet facsimile or the like. For this reason,it is possible to broadcast advertisement packets including informationrelated to these functions (capability information or the like), and toreceive various types of jobs such as scan jobs.

In the above described embodiment, if a particular error occurs, thereception circuit power source is kept off, and a response from acommunication partner to an advertising signal is not awaited, butlimitation is not made to this. In other words, configuration may betaken such that the reception circuit is on in the standby section evenif a particular error occurs.

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2015-026970, filed Feb. 13, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A communication apparatus capable of executing a power saving mode, which is able to communicate with an information processing apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising: broadcasting an advertising signal based on a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard as a first communication standard, so as to communicate with the information processing apparatus; and determining a state of the communication apparatus, wherein information according to the determined state of the communication apparatus is transmitted based on the BLE standard, and wherein the advertising signal is able to be transmitted even if the communication apparatus is in the power saving mode.
 19. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to perform further operations comprising: communicating image date with the information processing apparatus based on a second communication standard which is able to perform a longer-range wireless communication than the BLE standard, wherein information according to the determined state of the communication apparatus is transmitted based on the BLE standard, before a connection with the information processing apparatus based on the second communication standard is performed.
 20. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the advertising signal is able to be transmitted even if the communication apparatus is powered off.
 21. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein if it is determined that the communication apparatus is in a first state, first information according to the first state is transmitted based on the BLE standard, and if it is determined that the communication apparatus is in a second state different from the first state, second information different from the first information is transmitted based on the BLE standard.
 22. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein if it is determined that the communication apparatus is an error state, information according to the error state is transmitted based on the BLE standard.
 23. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein information for performing a connection to the information processing apparatus based on the second communication standard is transmitted based on the BLE standard.
 24. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the advertising signal includes information relating to a capability of the communication apparatus.
 25. The communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the information relating to the capability of the apparatus includes information enabling identification functions of the communication apparatus.
 26. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the advertising signal includes setting information representing a setting state of the communication apparatus.
 27. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a job data is received by a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) as the second communication standard.
 28. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising an image sensor, and wherein the communication apparatus is able to output image data.
 29. The communication apparatus according to claims 18, wherein the communication apparatus is a printer, and the image date is included in a print job.
 30. The communication apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the information transmitted based on the BLE standard includes information relating to an ink set in the communication apparatus.
 31. The communication apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the information transmitted based on the BLE standard includes information relating to a paper set in the communication apparatus.
 32. A communication method of a system comprised of apparatuses, the method comprising the steps of: performing transmission and reception of an advertising signal between the apparatuses based on a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard as a first communication standard to establish a connection based on the BLE standard between the apparatuses; determining a state of one apparatus of the apparatuses, transmitting information according to the determined state of the one apparatus based on the BLE standard, and wherein, in an advertising event including the transmission and reception of the adverting signal before the connection establishment based on the BLE standard, one of a mode in which a signal is transmitted after waiting for a response and a mode in which a signal is transmitted without waiting for a response is selectively executed. 